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Higashino Dies at 68
Keigo Higashino, the Naoki Prize-winning Japanese mystery novelist, died of colorectal cancer in the early hours of July 23 at the age of 68, his publisher said.
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TOKYO - Higashino, a native of Osaka Prefecture, made his literary debut in 1985 with After School and later won the Naoki Prize in 2006 for The Devotion of Suspect X.
Kodansha said Higashino leaves behind 106 works, including Eternal Memory, scheduled for publication on August 5.
In a post published at 4:10 PM on July 27, an official X account jointly managed by editors from seven publishing houses wrote: "Author Keigo Higashino passed away in the early hours of July 23."
The same X post added that "The stories he created will continue to captivate countless readers," as tributes spread for the bestselling author whose works have been translated into 41 languages and published in 41 countries and regions.
Awards, Adaptations, Tributes
Higashino’s career spanned more than four decades, and his works were adapted into films and television dramas, with TBS adapting several of his works into drama series including Journey Under the Midnight Sun, Meteor Bonds and Newcomer.
Actor Hiroshi Abe, who starred in the 2010 television drama Newcomer, said Higashino’s death had left him deeply saddened and offered condolences in a statement: "I offer my deepest condolences and pray that he may rest in peace."
The Straits Times described Higashino’s 1985 debut novel Hokago (After School) as winning the 31st Edogawa Rampo Prize and noted that his latest full-length novel in the series, Eternal Memory, is scheduled for publication on Aug 5.
Nikkei Asia (Kyodo) said Higashino’s Galileo series, featuring genius physicist Manabu Yukawa, became a massive hit, selling over 10 million copies in total.
In China, NHKニュース said fans mourned on Weibo after media outlets reported his death as breaking news, including a user who thanked Higashino for works that had accompanied them through their youth.
What Comes Next
Higashino’s final novel, Eternal Memory, is scheduled for publication on August 5, and multiple outlets tied the upcoming release to the author’s death at 68.
“Japanese writer Keigo Higashino, internationally renowned for his mystery and suspense novels, died at the age of 68 from colon cancer, his publisher Kodansha said on Monday”
JAPAN Forward said an official X account shared an image featuring the covers of all 106 of his books, including his final novel Eien no Kioku (Eternal Memory), scheduled for release on August 5.
News On Japan reported that Higashino received the Noma Publishing Culture Award in 2019 and, in acceptance remarks, said, "I want to continue writing good novels - although perhaps I should not be the one calling them good - that readers can enjoy."
Nikkei Asia said Higashino’s latest installment in the Galileo series is scheduled for release on Aug. 5, bringing his total number of published works to 106.
NHKニュース added that Higashino was born in Osaka Prefecture on February 4, 1958, and said his publishers reported his death of colorectal cancer on July 23, as fans in China and South Korea continued to post tributes.
